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◉ Sexual Abuse Lawsuits

Were You Abused as a Child? The Law Just Changed.

Recent changes to the law in states across the country have opened the door for survivors of childhood sexual abuse to hold institutions accountable no matter how long ago it happened. Churches, schools, sports programs, treatment centers, foster homes, and camps had a duty to protect the children in their care. When they fail, they can be held accountable. If you were abused as a minor while under the care or authority of a private institution, you may be entitled to significant compensation. Completing the form below is a confidential first step toward finding out whether you qualify.

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Free Case Evaluation

Complete this quick form, and a legal specialist will contact you within 24 hours.

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Name
Are you the person who was abused, or are you filing on behalf of someone else?*
What's your email address?*

Phone*

Did the abuse occur while under the care, supervision, or authority of a private organization, school, facility, or program?*
How old was the injured party at the time of the abuse?*
In which state did the abuse occur?*

Has the injured party seen a doctor, therapist, or counselor about the abuse or its effects?*
Was the abuser connected to that facility (staff, coach, clergy, volunteer, resident, or student)?*
Did the abuse happen at a private organization, school, camp, church, sports program, treatment center, foster home, or similar facility?*
Do you already have another attorney helping you with this claim?*
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By submitting, you agree to be contacted by phone, email, or SMS/text (data rates may apply), even if you are on a federal or state Do Not Call registry, to confirm your information and verify eligibility.

Legal Criteria

See If You Qualify

to File a Claim.

To move forward, the abuse must have occurred while you were under 18 and in the care of a private institution, in one of the states where the law currently allows these claims.
The following are recognized:

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Clergy & Religious Institutions

Abuse by a priest, deacon, brother, nun, or lay employee within the Diocese of Providence, a parish, a Catholic school, or another RI religious organization.

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Private & Boarding Schools

Abuse by a teacher, coach, athletic trainer, counselor, or staff member at an RI private school, prep school, or boarding school.

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Juvenile Detention & State Custody

Abuse by an officer, staffer, or contractor at the RI Training School, a youth development center, a DCYF placement, or a state-contracted group home.

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Hospitals & Treatment Facilities

Abuse at a psychiatric hospital, residential treatment center, or behavioral health facility for youth.

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Doctors & Medical Settings

Abuse by a physician, nurse, or provider during an exam, procedure, or appointment.

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Institutional Cover-Up

Any organization or supervisor that enabled, concealed, or failed to stop the abuse of a child in their care.

A named abuser: You are able to identify the person who abused you.

Documented harm: You have seen a doctor, therapist, or counselor about the abuse or its effects.

Legal Criteria

It’s Not Your Fault.

It Was Never Your Fault.

Institutions that care for children hold a position of trust and power. Abusers seek out these settings precisely because that trust gives them access and cover.

The Access

A Position of Authority

Coaches, clergy, counselors, and staff are given unsupervised access to children and the presumption of good faith that comes with a uniform or a title. Abusers exploit exactly that.

The Cover-Up

Institutions That Looked Away

Again and again, records show institutions received warnings about an abuser and chose to protect their reputation instead of the children in their care, transferring, concealing, or ignoring rather than reporting.

The Reckoning

The Law Has Changed

States have passed revival laws specifically so survivors can come forward as adults, on their own timeline. What once felt permanently closed is open again in these states.

Government Action & Legal Landmarks

Your Rights, State by State

Over the past several years, states have passed laws specifically to give survivors of childhood sexual abuse a path to hold abusers and the institutions that enabled them accountable, often long after the abuse occurred. Each of the ten states below has its own rules, and some have important deadlines. Because timing is frequently the single most important factor, a free case review is the fastest way to learn where you stand.

California

California Legislature

In 2019, California enacted AB 218, extending the deadline for childhood sexual assault claims and opening a revival window. A later law, AB 452, eliminated the statute of limitations entirely for abuse occurring on or after January 1, 2024.

New York

New York State Senate

New York’s Child Victims Act created a lookback window for survivors of childhood abuse and extended the deadline going forward. Survivors of childhood abuse may now bring claims until age 55.

New Jersey

Office of the Governor of New Jersey

New Jersey’s S477 extended the statute of limitations for childhood sexual abuse claims and created a revival window for previously time-barred cases. Survivors may now file until age 55, or within seven years of realizing the abuse caused them harm.

Maryland

Maryland People’s Law Library

Maryland’s Child Victims Act of 2023 repealed both the statute of limitations and the statute of repose, allowing survivors to file at any time regardless of when the abuse occurred. The state’s highest court upheld the law in a 2025 decision.

Illinois

Illinois General Assembly.

Under 735 ILCS 5/13-202.2, an action based on childhood sexual abuse may be commenced at any time. Illinois has no statute of limitations for these claims.

Nevada

Nevada Legislature

Under current Nevada law, there is no statute of limitations barring civil lawsuits for childhood sexual abuse.

Oregon

Oregon Legislature

Oregon’s HB 3582 (2025) removed the civil filing deadline for child sexual abuse claims arising on or after June 26, 2025. For earlier claims, survivors generally must file before age 40, or within five years of discovering the connection between the abuse and their injuries, whichever is longer.

Delaware

Delaware General Assembly

Delaware’s Child Victims Act of 2007 eliminated the civil statute of limitations for childhood sexual abuse going forward, and courts have upheld it. A newer bill, HB 75, which would create a retroactive window for older claims, was reported out of the Delaware Senate Judiciary Committee in March 2026 and awaits further action. Source: Delaware General Assembly.

Rhode Island

Rhode Island General Assembly

Rhode Island extended its statute of limitations for childhood sexual abuse claims and created a two-year revival window for previously time-barred claims against institutions, effective July 1, 2026. Going forward, survivors have 35 years from the date of the abuse (with the clock starting at age 18), or seven years from when they connect their injury to the abuse, whichever is later. The revival window opens July 1, 2026, and closes June 30, 2028.

Vermont

Vermont Legislature

In 2019, Vermont became the first state to eliminate its civil statute of limitations for childhood sexual abuse, enacting 12 V.S.A. § 522. The law applies retroactively to abuse that occurred before July 1, 2019.

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